Oh, the drama of baseball, right? So, there we were, a sunny Thursday, Mets vs. Tigers. Francisco Lindor and Francisco Alvarez, Mets’ dynamic duo, thought they had Carson Kelly, the Tigers’ runner, caught stealing. But, ump Sean Barber had other ideas, calling Kelly safe at second. Now, before you jump to conclusions, this wasn’t your typical umpire blunder. Nope, it’s a bit more nuanced than that.
Why Kelly Was Safe
Turns out, Lindor was found guilty of a little base-blocking. Not the dramatic, villainous kind, but enough to stir the pot. We’ve got a clip of Kelly’s steal attempt, right after Michael Tonkin struck out Parker Meadows. And yes, for the curious minds, we’ve even snagged a screenshot of the moment in question. Because, why not?
The Rule in Question
Here’s the scoop: MLB decided to get strict about fielder obstruction before the spring games even kicked off. ESPN shed some light on this, noting that it’s all about keeping runners safe from those sneaky middle infielders and their leg-blocking tactics. The gist? A fielder can’t be called for obstruction if catching the ball forces them into the runner’s path. In this case, Lindor’s foot blockade wasn’t deemed necessary. Go figure.
Adjustments and Reactions
Everyone’s got to adapt to this change, whether they’re thrilled about it or not. It’s MLB’s latest attempt to spice up base-running and keep players from getting hurt. Sure, it’s a bit of a headache now, but it’s all in the name of progress, right? Players, umps, and fans – we’re all in this learning curve together.
So, there you have it. A seemingly straightforward play turned teachable moment, thanks to MLB’s rulebook tweaks. Baseball, never a dull moment.
